Best vocalist

[DANGERMOUSE]

Simple: who's the best singer there's ever been? I defy you to find anyone better than Sam Cooke.

[Dillenger]

robert johnson, son house, marvin gaye, nina simone, billie holliday...

all depends on the genre

[Sunny Fan]

Louis Armstrong never fails to put a smile on my face, that's good enough for me.

[palace_crystal]

best 'live' singer is undoubtebtly freddie mercury

[El Aguila]

You've not heard me singing in the shower, have you?

[Gosling]

Personal favourite: Maria Callas. The sexiest voice I've ever heard.

[Lambeth Palace]

Leroy Burgess.

[Nork1]

Lemmy

[Lambeth Palace]

Originally posted by Nork1
Lemmy

:D

[Son of Selhurst]

Male: Freddie Mercury

Female: Sarah Maclaughlin

[Scroatey]

Originally posted by El Aguila
You've not heard me singing in the shower, have you? Fortunately I've never been near enough to hear you in the shower :eek:

[greybot]

Andrea Bocelli if you are looking for a big powerful emotional vocalist
Thom Yorke is the most spiritualist vocalist I have heard (Bjork not far behind)
I tend to agree Freddie Mercury is a very very good live vocalist
Van Morrison is probably one my most ardent vocalists closely followed by Neil Young
PJ Harvey is one of my fave female vocalists

These are all of course IMVHO

[The Bandstand]

Karen Carpenter :p

[Steve C]

David Bowie, the guy from Depeche Mode, Amy Lee, nuff said !!

[Captain Pizza]

I am particularly fond of the vocal abilities of the wife-beater Jackson Browne

[greybot]

Originally posted by Captain Pizza
I am particularly fond of the vocal abilities of the wife-beater Jackson Browne

He only beat his wife to see if she could better his high notes.

Apparently, allegedly :rolleyes:

[ROCK'N'ROLL]

Mike Patton

[GUCCI Eagle]

Lead singer of Evanescence.

[markholmes1991]

Originally posted by greybot
Andrea Bocelli if you are looking for a big powerful emotional vocalist


spot on, as for the ladies probably a toss up between Tracy Chapman/Heather Small

[Steve C]

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
Lead singer of Evanescence.
That,ll be Amy Lee then. :p

[Mat ov CPFC]

Male : Nick Drake

Female : Nina Simone

[Psychokiller]

It depends. There are so many vocalists with brilliant voices. BAsically depends on the style of music. I wouldn't say that any one is particularly better than the next.

My faves include Kevin Rowland, Marvin Gaye, Terry Callier, Louis Armstrong, Robert Smith, Steve Marriot, Bessie Smith, Debbie Harry, Joan Armatrading, Billie Holliday, Ella Fitzgerald and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

But I don't think I could say that any one from that list is better than the next!

[Psychokiller]

Oh yeah, good call Mat, Nick Drake is another!

[Skin Up]

Liz Fraser

[Daddy Long]

I think Karen Carpenter had the purest voice that I have heard - I could listen to her sing all day.

As far as men go, I may not like his music much but Maxwell has a great voice

[Gavin Axten]

Jackie Wilson

[FCM]

Sid Vicious singing 'My Way'...

[Scoey9000]

Jeff Buckley

[Del Gland]

Paul Rogers
Alison Krauss

[ns1905]

Jackie Wilson. Kim Weston. What a duet that would have been. Kim and Marvin Gaye was neat.

[AJ1969]

robert plant and roger daltrey

[Another Oxted Eagle]

Bon Scott for the chaps

Norah Jones sends me to sleep in the car - so quite keen on her.

[GUCCI Eagle]

Originally posted by Steve C
That,ll be Amy Lee then. :p

She's amazing. What I will now say shall sound hideously gay, but she sang live on CDUK and sounded better than a recorded version.

[as216]

Originally posted by ROCK'N'ROLL
Mike Patton

Good call

add to that James Hetfield, Robert Plant and Eddie Vedder.

[Bartman]

Limahl from Kajagoogoo.

[Teddy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Daddy Long
[B]I think Karen Carpenter had the purest voice that I have heard - I could listen to her sing all day.

oh good god why?

[Tor]

Rob Halford

[brighton_eagle]

Originally posted by Scoey9000
Jeff Buckley

Good call.

[sydney eagle]

Originally posted by Steve C
That,ll be Amy Lee then. :p Amy lee has a gorgeous voice:love:

Male-Thom Yorke/Jeff Buckley
Female-Amy Lee/Bjork/Tori Amos

[2can]

Originally posted by Scoey9000
Jeff Buckley

Extremely surprised this took so long to come up!

Matt Belamy is the best singer around at the moment though.

[Daddy Long]

Originally posted by Teddy
[QUOTE]

oh good god why?

Because she had a beautiful voice. Not because I'm digging the Carpenters as great artists.

[GUCCI Eagle]

David McAlmont

[CK]

Originally posted by Del Gland
Paul Rogers
Alison Krauss


Totally agree about Paul Rogers. Been a class act for years.

What about Annie Lennox. Some of the material is questionable but when she lets rip into some rock tracks she takes some beating.

[sydney eagle]

Originally posted by Del Gland
Paul Rogers
Ahhhhhhh....I have loads of his solo stuff as well as all the Free albums,I haven't listened to him sing for ages...I'm off to put on a Free album now:p

[Oz_da_Eagle]

Got to be Ian Brown

;)

[Gooders]

Karen Carpenter - best female pop singer I've ever heard.

Male? A young David Coverdale I would think.

[hilairehair]

Billie Holiday, particuarly on Lady in Satin

and erm, Barney from New Order.

[congress]

Emiliana Torrini can hit a good note.

[brighton_eagle]

Originally posted by Oz_da_Eagle
Got to be Ian Brown

;)


Haha....hahaahahahahahaha.

Yeah, right. :D :p

[ROCK'N'ROLL]

Originally posted by Tor
Rob Halford

RE-SUR-REC-TIOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!

(in extremely high falsetto voice!!!)

[ROCK'N'ROLL]

Originally posted by as216
Good call

add to that James Hetfield, Robert Plant and Eddie Vedder.

Damn right, well, I'd change Eddie Vedder for Chris Cornell.

But Mike Patton still wins it.

[welshneil]

Originally posted by DANGERMOUSE
Simple: who's the best singer there's ever been? I defy you to find anyone better than Sam Cooke.

You defied us matey...Dennis Edwards from The Temptations, Freddie Gorman from The Originals and Levi Stubbs from The Four Tops...you're obviously a Soul fan so you'll appreciate these three Danger. Also the guy who is currently singing for the Four Tops while Levi is recovering from throat cancer is called Theo Peoples...KICK @RSE voice too!!!

[Shoreditch CPFC]

Best I've heard live; Tori Amos and McAlmont (without the Butler).

[Shoreditch CPFC]

Originally posted by Oz_da_Eagle
Got to be Ian Brown

;)

Surely a tie with Danny McNamara from Embrace ? :cool:

I feel a worst vocalist thread coming on.....

[as216]

Originally posted by Shoreditch CPFC
Surely a tie with Danny McNamara from Embrace ? :cool:

I feel a worst vocalist thread coming on.....

Chuck Ozzy into the mix on that one along with Vince Neil

[sydney eagle]

Maynard from TOOL has a great voice too:p

[Ave Satani]

Cant believe Kate Bush hasnt had a mention!

[Robin]

An impossible question.

But I would go for Karen Carpenter and Frank Sinatra (and I'm not a Sinatra fan - just recognise genius)

[El Aguila]

I do like Roy Orbison, yes I do, to be sure.

[Pat of the Palace]

Sade or the girl from Mecano for me. Hard to say for blokes, prolly one of the old boys like Howling Wolf.

[E.X Moontoad]

Michael Stipe
Dusty Springfield

[ozzieEagle]

Two females up there with Karen carpenter, would be Aretha Franklin and Mama cass. In fact i reckon Mama Cass may well edge Karen out, in my view anyway. Strange coincidence about their deaths though eh ? .


I've gotta think pretty deeply about the blokes, so back with that one later !

[Leap of faith]

Freddie Mercury, Neil Diamond, McAlmont, Billy Joel, Morrissey

[ozzieEagle]

The Male vocalist that comes to my mind first as the most listenable, in the way that he delivers a song would be David bowie. Not the greatest singer, but he sure delivers them well.

Jimmy Barnes, really belts erm out, Bon scott, (this is bloody hard lol) Marvyn Gaye, Lionel ritchie, hmmmm

Dammit i've gotta to agree with some of the others and give the "Greatest" title to Frank sinatra, that has suprised myself !

Dont think i will be listening to a lot of his stuff even so

[Excowboy]

its always been Otis Redding for me - surprised so many soul singers came up without mentioning his name.

I actually think Bob Dylan had a great voice as well - not the prettiest in the world but puts the message accross perfectly. Same with Lou Reed

Agree on Thom Yorke but i thing Nick Drake's guitar playing's much better than his singing

[welshneil]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ozzieEagle
[



Jimmy Barnes, really belts erm out, Bon scott, (this is bloody hard lol) Marvyn Gaye, Lionel ritchie, hmmmm

Saw Cold Chisel last week...man Jimmy Barnes has a powerful voice but just screaches!!!!!

[Bintang]

Joni Mitchell in her early days

Jim Croce

[ozeagle]

baloo !

[candide]

Originally posted by ROCK'N'ROLL
Damn right, well, I'd change Eddie Vedder for Chris Cornell.

But Mike Patton still wins it.

and i'd change hetfield for most other singers.

but mike patton still wins it. :p

[PENGE P]

Male Roy Orbison

Femae Edith Piaf

[Smurph]

Originally posted by E.X Moontoad
Michael Stipe
Dusty Springfield

Michael Stipe! He has a whiney nasaly voice like someone drawing their fingernails very slowly down a blackboard.

Dusty is a good call.

[DANGERMOUSE]

Some good ones mentioned thus far: Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding, Jackie Wilson, Dusty Springfield, Ol' Blue Eyes...

Frankly horrified at the inclusion of Thom Yorke and Michael Stipe!

[Maz]

Male : Bowie, Byrne, Gaye
Female : Faithfull (although she sounds more male than the above three...)

[Nelson Muntz]

Male: Paul Simon
Female: Eva Cassidy

[Eagle Kneevil]

Male: lead singer of the Tindersticks (help anyone?) - I defy anyone to listen to "Another Night In" and not be moved

Female: Shirley Bassey, especially on Where Do I Begin?.

And, of course, Humpty Hump.

[Father Fertile]

:p Robert Plant of Led Zep

[Dorking .Eagle]

Annie Lennox

[Gosling]

Emma Kirkby singing Bach is the purest voice I've ever heard.

[El Aguila]

Originally posted by Eagle Kneevil
Male: lead singer of the Tindersticks (help anyone?) - I defy anyone to listen to "Another Night In" and not be moved

Stuart Staples, I do an excellent impersonation.

[Scoot]

All to do with personal choice but for me it has to be;
Modern/Rock = Paul Weller
Motown = Diana Ross and
Soul/Proper RnB = Otis

[Psychokiller]

Rod Stewart has an amazing voice too.

[Excowboy]

Forgot to mention Ronnie Spector - Surely the best pop singer of all time.

[ozzieEagle]

Just been listening to a hell of a lot of early 70's stuff, i want to change my vote :)

Cant beleive he didnt get one vote in here so far !! Mick Jagger !!! the epitomy of what a rock/blues singer should be.

[Jordan's Jacket]

Depends on what is meant by best vocalist. In terms of best outright singer I'd agree with Karen Carpenter, but in terms of uniqueness and a voice to match the music and generate emotion etc.... I'd be torn between Morrissey and Michael Stipe

[Marc]

Marilyn Manson. All those rock groups out there that try and shout... you watch them live and it's like a wet miow! Mazza : 5/5 for yellability :p

Also Matt Bellamy from MUSE. Biggest range i've heard in any vocalist.

[Disco]

Chris Cornell of Soundgarden/ Audioslave has got an incredibly powerfull voice for a Rock Singer. He get's my vote

I'm not a big fan, but Christina Aguillera is technically very good and underrated.

Glen My singer si the best unsigned singer I have ever heard, with a real smokey bluesy voice, but then again he's probably only unsigned cos he won't go solo, writes his own stuff and turned down pop idol when approached.

[Al From Bromley]

Paul Carrack, Michael MacDonald, Gladys Knight...to name but three not yet mentioned.

[DANGERMOUSE]

Originally posted by Disco
I'm not a big fan, but Christina Aguillera is technically very good and underrated. I think the reason she is underrated is because she insists on bellowing through every song, as that's what passes for 'emotion' in American pop songs. However, I do agree that she probably has an excellent voice, should she choose to use it.

[DANGERMOUSE]

Been listening to a lot of James lately, and Tim Booth has got to be one of the best singers of recent times.

[LeeH]

Stevie Wonder without a doubt - totally unique voice.

[Scifo]

Originally posted by Nork1
Lemmy

I was going to post this myself. If any of you have tried to sing along to motorhead it's impossible (for me anyway) to scream as loud as he does while at the same time trying to carry off a tune.

[mrdance88]

Jay Kay :p

[scott aungier]

Nat king cole
Barbra strisland



Both class

[pattaya pete]

Roy Orbison,Joan Armatrading, Jimmy Barnes was great.Otis, Karen Carpenter, so many great voices

[Maz]

Joey Ramone...

[Gooders]

I was interested to read back and see who I voted for on this resurrected thread - Karen Carpenter and David Coverdale.

I'll stick with the late lamented Karen for the female selection but having seen Muse live since the thread was started I'll elevate Matt Bellamy to number one male - the best live singer I have heard by a distance.

[nicky]

Jesus ••••••• wept. Theres more to singing than keeping in tune.

Artist
Lemmy Shouting
Frank Black, screaming

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Benny Hill
Minnie bannister

[west country boy]

Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, Marlena Shaw, Minnie Ripperton, Rakim.

[hilairehair]

Originally posted by El Aguila
Stuart Staples, I do an excellent impersonation.

So does Vic Reeves.

No mention of Nico yet?

[Essexeagle]

Originally posted by GUCCI Eagle
(Amy Lee) She's amazing. What I will now say shall sound hideously gay, but she sang live on CDUK and sounded better than a recorded version.

Nothing special, simply an oddity in that she appears to be a classically trained singer doing rock. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) was also one, and when he stopped doing the rock hysterics, had a wonderful voice.

The best...hmmm

Jeff Buckley, Frank Sinatra, John Lee Hooker (for emotion), Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Karen Carpenter, Neil Finn (haunting live voice). There are far too many to choose just one.

[Slyda]

Male: Robert Plant
Female: Eva Cassidy

Plus the guy from Muse sang superbly at Glastonbury the other week.

[johnbush]

Originally posted by Ave Satani
Cant believe Kate Bush hasnt had a mention!
Missed this first time round, but thanks for that Ave, Aunty Kate will be delighted.

[DANGERMOUSE]

Can she get me Dave Gilmour's autograph?

[DANGERMOUSE]

Plus a sniff of the outfit she wore in the 'Babooshka' video?

[Essexeagle]

I know Dave Gilmour's next door neighbour. How's that for tenuous :)

[Excowboy]

Originally posted by johnbush
Missed this first time round, but thanks for that Ave, Aunty Kate will be delighted.

Bet uncle george must be proud as well ;)

[johnbush]

Originally posted by Excowboy
Bet uncle george must be proud as well ;)
Don't know: our side of the family prefer not to talk about him.

[itsonelouder]

Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker

[Son of Ron]

Will Young has a pretty good voice ;)

seriously I think look no further than Otis and Aretha for pure vocal ability.

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally posted by johnbush
Missed this first time round, but thanks for that Ave, Aunty Kate will be delighted.

Well tell "Auntie Kate" to stop hiding and do some new stuff will you!

[tommoboy0]

Over 100 posts and nobody has said Michael Jackson, like him or not, the man's great Vocals.

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally posted by tommoboy0
Over 100 posts and nobody has said Michael Jackson, like him or not, the man's great Vocals.

You are joking? The only man I know who now sings higher than he did before his voice broke!

Female Basia
Male Mr Sinatra

[cobby 22]

samantha fox had the best lungs.

[candide]

I'll stick with my vote for Mike Patton, but I think Bono needs a mention, mayebe not the greatest voice, but one of the greatest vocalists, in my opinion.

And Marc, Marilyn has nothing on Anders Friden from In Flames when it comes to shouting/screaming - check it out.

[Leap of faith]

Freddie Mercury

[Eagle SM5 3JR]

Male: Luther Vandross / David Ruffin
Female: Karen Carpenter.

[johnbush]

Originally posted by Maidstoned Eagle
Well tell "Auntie Kate" to stop hiding and do some new stuff will you!
She's still recovering from what that Westenra woman did to her 'Heights'.

[pattaya pete]

Check out www.vipentertainment.com.au/asia
we have some great tribute acts.

[Sussex Eagle]

Wont bother trying to come up with a 'best' but Brian Wilson impressed me in his better moments when I saw him a week or two back.

The girl out of that new group 'Nouvelle Vague's voice is sexy as. Nothing like a French girl.
Hmmmm... Stevie Wonder is an obvious choice I s'pose.
Jacob 'Killer' Miller had a bit of a voice on him.

Joe Strummer was about as far from a stereotype of a great vocalist as you're likely to get, but for gravelly passion there's not much better.

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally posted by johnbush
She's still recovering from what that Westenra woman did to her 'Heights'.

All the more reason for her to show what the real Kate Bush sounds like. Plus I really fancy her.:p

[mikebow]

Michael Stypes or Faithless dude....

[DAVE BENNETT]

For Soul Levi Stubbs (4 Tops)
& Teddy Pendergast

For pop/rock Colin Blunstone

[Lambeth Palace]

Teddy Pendergrass has a great voice.

[itsonelouder]

Steve Marriott

[Disco]

Having spent yesterday evening in the pleasant surrounds of the Astoria, I'm pleased to confirm that the best singer in the world is in fact Dee Snieder (sp?) from Twisted Sister:p

[Gatecrasher]

Male: Morrissey
Female: Harriet Wheeler

Very subjective. I wouldn't expect anyone to agree with the latter.

[Chief Brody]

It has to be 'ol blue eyes. :p

[First safety]

My favourite female singer is Barb Jungr,her performance of Waterloo sunset is fantastic.

While I enjoy hearing singers who can convey lyrics without shouting ,for example Tony Bennett,Maria Callas and Old blue Eyes in pure performance terms I prefer to listen to the husky voices of Marriane Faithful and Rod Stewart,neither of whom could ever be accused of being the best vocalist.

[Pidster]

Originally posted by Disco
Having spent yesterday evening in the pleasant surrounds of the Astoria, I'm pleased to confirm that the best singer in the world is in fact Dee Snieder (sp?) from Twisted Sister:p

I was in a pub in Soho yesterday and there were some blokes going to that gig. One had a West Ham shirt on.....obviously I couldn't resist the temptation to point out a certain recent result. They were having a lot of fun winding up the people from the Gay festival who were just coming into the pub to use the toilets.

[Disco]

Originally posted by Pidster
I was in a pub in Soho yesterday and there were some blokes going to that gig. One had a West Ham shirt on.....obviously I couldn't resist the temptation to point out a certain recent result. They were having a lot of fun winding up the people from the Gay festival who were just coming into the pub to use the toilets.

Saw the fella, had 666 the Number of the beast on the back. Told him I was confused as to why he had Premier League numbers and lettering on his shirt, then introduced myself as a Palace fan!:p

[Pidster]

Originally posted by Disco
Saw the fella, had 666 the Number of the beast on the back. Told him I was confused as to why he had Premier League numbers and lettering on his shirt, then introduced myself as a Palace fan!:p


Splendid... a double whammy(sic).

[Kember's Hooter]

Originally posted by Dillenger
robert johnson, son house, marvin gaye, nina simone, billie holliday...

all depends on the genre

Absolutely right, best rock voice is Robert Plant, best soul take your pick Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Lillo Thomas, Maxwell, Howard Johnson, Will Downing etc, but as stated all depends on the genre your listening to and what mood your in that day!

[itsonelouder]

I may have missed a post but am I right in saying that noone has mentioned the mighty Elvis Presley. He has one of the most distinctive/powerful/emotional voices I've ever heard. I think he was a far better singer/performer than Sinatra, the dvd "That's the way it is" is testament to that. A breathtaking performance, before he entered his cheeseburger years. I guess it's these latter years which are why many disregard him - his ungraceful demise (although his voice was fantastic until the day he croaked it on the bog!).

[Micky Spilane]

Not read through all this but I'd go for Bowie, Annie Lennox, Sinatra, Ella Fitgerald and Cobain.
Edit bit and Grace Slick.

[daz_eagle]

i like the musical voices of:

tracy chapman, jeff buckley, adam duritz, neil finn, robert smith, ryan adams, ian dury, james taylor, joni mitchell, kathy fisher, lauryn hill, snoop, kd lang, lynyard skynyard, mary j, paul weller, pete yorn, sade, morrissey, soloman burke, todd rundgren, van morrison and.... geddy lee, the man, the legend. :) :p :lux:

[mrgins]

joan baez, celine dion, barbra streisand, nina simone, billie holliday, ella fitzgerald, janis joplin....

[sticker]

DANGERMOUSE - How could you leave out Scott Walker!

[sexyrazor]

Robbie Williams?

[mattgood]

Has got to be Bowie or Mercury. Steve Tyler of Aerosmith is quite interesting tho!

[Panman268]

Difficult to say isn't it? Depends on the genre really. My faves in no particular order are

Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, George Michael, Alison Krauss, Aimee Mann, Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Maria Callas.

[Panman268]

Forgot Ella.

[britabroad]

Sarah Maclaughlin has way more emotion in her singing style than any other voacalist I can think of at the moment, even if you love or hate the material. She doesn't feel the need to shout (Dion etc) to get her point across.

Great singer.

[pallet]

So many great singers to chose from and all brillant at their own style.
billie holliday, ella fitzgerald ,Joss Stone, Gill Scott
Luther Vandross ,Otis Redding ,James Brown ,Elvis

[Psychokiller]

Originally posted by sexyrazor
Robbie Williams?

Oh come on, you really think that overrated, aids deserving, talentless •••• has a good voice?

[Terrace Bickle]

Male: Jeff Buckley, simply no contest
Female: Alison Goldfrapp :love:

[oscarthecat]

Dave Gahan or Morrissey

[AndyStreet]

Tony Bennett

[dave_who_ru]

Roger Daltrey for me.

[david sylvian]

me

[david sylvian]

...but roger daltrey is great too

[Tim of the 80's]

I'm pushed to choose one singer over another, there so many fabulous voices, but also so many single astonishing vocal performances. For example Tom Waits singing Somewhere from West Side Story, Kevin Rowland doing I'm Just Looking, Brett Anderson Jumble Sale Mums (he's got a kind of weary compassion in his voice that suits the sad stuff) John Lennon doing Twist and Shout. None of them you would say are great singers compared to say Otis Redding/jeff Buckley/Rod Stewart for example, but I'd put up Lennon's Twist and Shout as the most explosive piece of rock and roll singing I've heard.

[nicky]

Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Black Francis, The Sonics' lead singer (Pyrapa?)..

[hilairehair]

Originally posted by nicky
Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Black Francis, The Sonics' lead singer (Pyrapa?)..

I thought Gerry Roslie was the singer? Andy Parypa played bass. Could be wrong tho'.

[Dorking .Eagle]

Annie Lennox

[Newfie]

Charles Hardin Holley. No contest!

[Brixton Exile]

Cristina Scabbia-Lacuna Coil
Tarja Turunen-Nightwish

[nicky]

GERRY ROSLIE, organ, piano, lead vcls
ANDY PARYPA, bsgtr
LARRY PARYPA, lead gtr, vcls
ROB LIND, sax, vcls, hrmnca
BOB BENNETT, drms

[pete eagle]

male - dav ford,matt bellamy or Michael Stipe (John Fruiscante of the RHCP - the guitarist is an amazing vocalist as well)

Female - Amy Lee or Nina Persson of the Cardigans

[wedgetail]

For me it has to be Mama Cass.